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22 BULLETIN 1221, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
From these tests it is safe to say that the general moisture distri- 
bution found prevailed in the soil columns of small area used by 
other investigators in their experimental work. 
In horizontal soil columns of small area and having a vertical rise 
of 4 inches before a change to the horizontal the four tests given show 
that— 
The maximum percentage of moisture occurs close to but not 
necessarily at the end of the tube nearest the water; 
The average percentage of moisture in the tube was found at a 
distance from the water equal to more than half the length of 
the tube; 
The distribution of moisture is altered when the moisture 
reaches the outer end of the tube. 
In tubes inclined downward from the horizontal— 
The greatest percentage of moisture is found at the top of the 
tube when gravity and capillarity are both acting; 
The total quantity of water which can be retained by the soil 
column by capillarity in the absence of ground water is much 
less than capillary saturation. 
If the downward movement of capillary moisture be checked 
by an impervious stratum, the distribution of moisture above 
this stratum will in time be similar to the distribution of mois- 
ture in a vertical soil column extending upward from this 
stratum and with a water table at the stratum. 
